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Looking for the simplest means of playing videos from a USB storage device on a non-smart TV

Having already configured a VLC-powered Google TV configuration with USB hard drives for a relative without the router or download speed needed for reliable streaming, I’m now trying to configure a similar setup for another relative with a non-smart TV and an even slower download speed.

The only requirements for such a device would be the ability to be controlled entirely with a remote, a USB-A or USB-C port compatible with USB hubs and media storage devices, and the reliable playback of videos of assorted codecs and file extensions. As Roku, FireTV, and Android/Google TV streaming sticks tend to be plastered with ads as a means of promoting content within their ecosystems, an alternative HDMI device that minimizes the number of button presses between turning on the TV and and reaching the navigation menu for videos on attached USB storage devices would be preferred.

guazzabuglio ,

What about a Raspberry Pi or other SFF PC flashed with libreelec to run Kodi.

UntouchedWagons ,
@UntouchedWagons@lemmy.ca avatar

It would have to be a raspberry pi as SFF PCs don’t support CEC, OP would have to use a usb dongle.

guazzabuglio ,

Looks like an Intel NUC supports CEC. That would be a more powerful option I suppose.

UntouchedWagons ,
@UntouchedWagons@lemmy.ca avatar

Go with a pi 4 running LibreELEC.

erusuoyera ,

I have a Roku (apart from a static ad on the home screen, I haven’t noticed any problem with them and if it was really an issue I could use adblocking DNS servers), and can play media on it from a NAS drive, or I can plug a USB drive into my router and access it that way. It’s all controllable via the remote and provided there’s good WiFi signal, doesn’t require a fast internet connection. Saying all that, I do have fast internet and usually just stream stuff to it via my phone/tablet and the video caster app.

Zedstrian OP ,

I can imagine the phone-to-roku streaming method working well, particularly given the simplicity of Roku OS, though in terms of USB drive usage, past testing on a dedicated Roku TV has been mixed in terms of codec compatibility, unfortunately.

FuckyWucky ,

I use a mini pc (ryzen 3200u) from aliexpress. you can use whatever OS you want.

MomoTimeToDie ,

Seconding mini pc as a good option. I use a mini lenovo think station I got of fb marketplace

just_another_person ,

Nvidia Shield is pretty paired down if you want something plug and play.

There are some NAS products out there with media servers and HDMI output. Helps you skip a few steps.

Pixelologist ,
@Pixelologist@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

I actually would love to buy an nvidia shield for my family but it seems to have WORSE decoding experience than my steamdeck somehow. Makes me feel like it’s already outdated, and for a $200 difference a SD can do a lot more.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/…/edit#gid=0

Please correct me if I’m misunderstanding something

seaQueue , (edited )
@seaQueue@lemmy.world avatar

Plug your laptop into it and use VLC. That’s the simplest approach.

If you want a dedicated playback system any little arm SBC that has decent hardware accelerated video playback should work well. Something like an RPi 4 can run a basic desktop with hardware accelerated VLC, or you could run libreelec. Look for something modern that supports the encodings you think you might use, it’s a drag dealing with choppy playback because you’re trying to play an encoding the board doesn’t support.

Or you could run a media server like PLEX somewhere on your network and use a Chromecast plugged into the TV as a streaming target. This lets you use your phone as a control device. The simplest setup for this is to just run PLEX on your desktop or laptop and shut the server down when you’re not actively using it.

GingeyBook ,

For the Plex server, why shut it down when not using it?

seaQueue , (edited )
@seaQueue@lemmy.world avatar

I’m not using a dedicated PLEX server, just running it on a machine that’s not always on.

I was trying to make the point that you don’t need a dedicated PLEX server, you can just fire it up on a laptop when you’re going to use the TV. This way you can setup TV streaming by just buying a Chromecast.

lud ,

Ditto. I have Plex on my normal gaming desktop.

weedwhacking ,

I think an existing laptop or tablet is probably the best way to go here. Only hard part is a remote

whereBeWaldo ,

I bought the cheapest wireless laptop I could find to use as a remote

Pixelologist ,
@Pixelologist@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

I recommend looking into playnite as a “launcher” for your games.

If you have a PC you could also consider moonlight streaming

ANIMATEK , (edited )

I know it’s probably not what you’re looking for in terms of budget, but I use an Apple TV with a portable router called Beryl AX connected to an USB Drive when I’m traveling. To any hotel’s dumb TV I connect the ATV, and then my router through Ethernet. And there you go, all my travel drive to see and use with Infuse.

Infuse is super powerful and through name parsing you get this media “wall” interface, just as Netflix so to speak. You a get zero ad experience over all.

On the plus side this Router can connect to any Wi-Fi and re-route the traffic (kinda like a repeater but fancier), so you get your own private Wi-Fi and your ATV has also internet.

Edit: I don’t know about any of those systems you mentioned, but using a ad-filtering DNS (like AdGuard) you may be able to stop ads over there. It worked for me with Tizen OS.

crossover ,

AppleTV with Infuse is my setup also. It makes everything else feel like the fucking stone age. Copying files, ads and slow Android device interfaces…never again. The AppleTV remote is also great.

Disonantezko ,
  • My firestick (4k) has Android, with correct accessory (that allows power and OTG at the same time).
  • You can connect to USB drive or hub.
  • Has remote control.
  • There are alternative launchers to avoid ads.
  • You can sideload most things.
InvisibleShoe ,
@InvisibleShoe@lemmy.world avatar

I use an Odroid loaded up with CoreElec ( a version of Kodi ).

  • It connects via HDMI
  • can be controlled with a normal remote control via HDMI-CEC
  • can connect 4 USB devices (including a USB hub)
  • no need for a constant internet connection
  • Tv and movie database info is downloaded once and stored, not retrieved as needed
  • Has played every file format I’ve thrown at it
  • Easy to use interface
  • FOSS and no ads
MuThyme ,

Generic “USB media players” used to be a big thing back before they were integrated into every TV, I’m fairly sure you can easily find one with a remote still.

It seems like a lot of DVD/bluray players still take USB too, we used to play off of an external HDD and USB thumb drives using our Blu-ray player when I was a kid. You can probably get something really good second hand too.

XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd ,
@XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd@lemmy.world avatar

Years ago a $9.99 el cheapo Walmart DVD player was my first USB media player on an old CRT TV.

stifle867 ,

The “simplest” method is to plug the USB straight into the TV if the TV supports USB playback. You could also try plugging the USB into the router as many of them support DLNA servers - not a solution but a piece of the puzzle that can be used.

000999 ,

AFAIK fire sticks etc. can be installed with custom operating systems

XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd ,
@XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd@lemmy.world avatar

Custom launcher like Wolf Launcher,Yes. Not a custom ROM.

SpaghettiYeti ,

Raspberry Pi and Steam Link if you have an ok computer to stream from

XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd ,
@XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd@lemmy.world avatar

+1 on that.

But…by the time you put together the bill of quantities for the Pi, Case, Power brick, Active cooling, remote… The 1080p Firestick becomes cheaper. The Firesticks advert filled UI can be wrangled using a custom launcher.

SpaghettiYeti ,

Yeah, true. I got my 4 a couple of weeks ago and all the bits and pieces came to about $100 from Amazon with some sales.

Zedstrian OP ,

Definitely true; while it would have been more fun setting up something like a Pi4 with Plasma Bigscreen to avoid content ecosystems, it seems that choosing between a Google TV or Fire TV stick or a USB-supporting BluRay player will be a more economical option. Haven’t delved much into custom launchers before, but it seems that might be a good solution for the sort of minimalistic UI I’m looking for.

XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd ,
@XMRFrbgNBwQC6Hkd@lemmy.world avatar

I did go with a Pi option for the main TV, for the secondary one picked a discounted Firestick + wolflauncher using this tutorial troypoint.com/wolf-launcher/

The Pi does a lot more 💪 besides media playback for the TV while it’s on , but the Firestick was $19.99 at some sale 🤷

lud ,

If you are gonna stream anyway I recommend a Plex/Jellyfin server.

Steam link or VLC is probably gonna be annoying to use and poor quality wise.

If OP actually wants a very simple way of playing a film from an actual USB drive, I would use a PI with VLC.

SpaghettiYeti ,

Eh. I can stream 4k 60fps games through Steamlink and have used it for movies too. It works perfectly.

Plus, you get a computer out of it too and can game.

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